Every employer wants to think they are creating the ideal work environment. They want to believe that the culture they have fostered and the resources they provide will prevent any major challenge. They may think stress is an issue in other workplaces but not in theirs.

The reality, however, is that 80 percent of Americans report experiencing stress in the workplace, according to the American Institute of Stress. Nearly half of those workers say they need help managing workplace stress, yet less than 40 percent seek assistance or treatment for stress or anxiety.

Although workplace stress affects a large percentage of the American population, employers have more options than ever before to address this growing concern and are beginning to use tools to combat stress before it can overwhelm. With solutions like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and trauma-informed trainings and strategies at their disposal, employers have the ability to reduce employee stress levels before they reach a breaking point and combat the national epidemic of workplace stress in a proactive way.